NBA PLAYOFFS - 91 - 72

May 4, 2008|By Tim Povtak, Sentinel Staff Writer

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- This friendship ended at tip-off.

Pistons guard Richard Hamilton lived up to his pregame promise that his close friendship with Magic guard Maurice Evans would be shelved when this series began, pounding his good buddy early to give his team an opening lift.

It set a tone that really never changed.

With Evans guarding him, Hamilton gave an early clinic on how to play offensively, scoring eight points in the first four minutes after running his defender through a physical maze of picks and screens.

Evans responded by knocking off Hamilton's protective face mask on one of his drives.

This game-within-a-game was on. Neither one ever cracked a smile. With the stakes this high in Game 1 of this best-of-seven second round series, it was all business. And the Pistons took care of business in an easy 91-73 victory.

"You can't rough up the game with us," Hamilton said. "We've been doing this for years, and that's the way we want to play. They tried it, but we enjoyed it."

The two may be tight away from the court -- they vacationed together in Hawaii this summer -- but there was no indication of any love in a series that is expected to grow increasingly intense and more physical if the Magic hope to avoid being swept again.

"It's war now," said Hamilton. "Maurice is my buddy, my guy. We're close, but once the game starts, it's totally different. On the court, there is no mercy."

Hamilton cooled after making his opening flurry, but he still finished with 17 points while hitting seven of 14 shots. Evans, who plays a lesser role as a starter for the Magic, finished with just four points. Hamilton clearly won this battle of friends.

Evans played with the Pistons in Detroit during the 2005-06 season, serving as a backup behind both Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, before first bouncing to the Lakers and then the Magic this past summer.

"We have a great relationship," Evans said before the game. "I also know a lot of other guys from that team. But I just can't afford to let that get in the way. They are a veteran team, and they can joke a little, but we can't afford to do that."

When the second half started, the Pistons immediately went back to Hamilton on their first possession. This time he missed the shot. He quickly forced Evans into a turnover on the Magic's next offensive possession.

Hamilton didn't score all his points against Evans. At times, Keith Bogans, and even Jameer Nelson guarded him.

The Hamilton/Evans matchup could prove key as the series progresses. If Nelson is going to struggle against Chauncey Billups at point guard, the Magic need Evans to at least neutralize Hamilton to give them a chance.

Hamilton torched Evans and the Magic for 32 points during one of their matchups in the regular season. He led the Pistons this season by averaging 17.3 points. Against the Magic, though, he averaged 21.7 points.

"I have a lot of friends in this league, but it's different on the court," Hamilton said. "I could be playing against my own brother, but I would be trying to kill him out there."